Coach Gary Kubiak was in no mood Monday to disclose what team rules running back Cierre Wood, outside linebacker Willie Jefferson and defensive end Sam Montgomery violated that caused him to place them on waivers.

“I won’t discuss team rules,” Kubiak said.

A person with knowledge of the situation said the three rookies violated team rules at the Texans’ hotel in Kansas City on Saturday night. They were sent home and placed on the inactive list for the 17-16 loss to the Chiefs.

It’s the first time Kubiak has waived anyone for a violation of one of his rules.

“I feel like they wasted a big opportunity,” outside linebacker Brooks Reed said. “I’m sure they’re realizing it right now. It’s crazy and unfortunate because they had a great opportunity here to be successful.

“They just didn’t get it. I don’t understand why someone would do that to themselves.”

The decision to make Wood inactive for the game hurt the team because running backs Arian Foster (hamstring) and Ben Tate (ribs) suffered injuries. Wood would have received a lot of playing time.

“It’s disappointing, because each of them had promise,” defensive end Antonio Smith said. “For one of them (Wood), it would have been his time to write his résumé. Everybody was surprised. It’s a hard hit, especially with what happened in the game.

“We knew before the game. Coach told us. He always lets us know the decisions he’s going to make. Then you get into the game, and Arian gets hurt, and Ben gets hurt, and it puts the team in a predicament. You’ve got to care more about your team.”

The decision to release the three rookies left general manager Rick Smith and pro personnel director Brian Gardner looking for replacements.

‘Missed opportunity’

“Yes, we could have (used Wood),” offensive tackle Duane Brown said. “It’s very frustrating to have that happen knowing we had a back that was capable of carrying the load for us. It was a big missed opportunity on his part.

“I wish those guys well. I hope they’re able to bounce back from this situation and land on their feet somewhere.”

The Texans must sign a third running back. They also are looking for an inside linebacker to provide depth behind Darryl Sharpton and Joe Mays. Sharpton will replace Brian Cushing, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Chiefs.

“You have to put the team first,” Brown said about the three rookies placed on waivers. “It’s very shocking to have that happen. You’re getting ready to play a huge game on the road, and to have (players) sent home is very disappointing and frustrating. Something had to happen.

“It’s a wake-up call for them and anybody else. You have to be unselfish in this league.”

Wood, who was suspended for the first two games of his junior year at Notre Dame for violating team rules, made the Texans as an undrafted free agent. He led the team in rushing in preseason.

Jefferson, who was kicked out of Baylor after failing multiple tests for marijuana, played at Stephen F. Austin. He was signed as an undrafted free agent and showed potential as a pass rusher. He also contributed on special teams.

High pick lost

Montgomery was a third-round pick. He began as an outside linebacker from LSU but was moved to defensive end. He had been inactive for every game this season.